S A Assani, B Assogba, Y Toukourou and I T Alkoiret

Abstract

A study involving 30 cattle herds with a total of 1680
head was carried out in the commons of Malancity and Karimama (extreme north of
Benin) to compare the productivity of three types of Gudali cattle breeding
systems: great transhumant livestock (type 1), periurban sedentary livestock
(type 2) and the small purebred Fulani livestock (type 3).

The type of cattle
farms had a significant effect (p <0.05) on birth weight (26.7 vs. 23.0 vs. 25.6
kg), weight at three months (78.8 vs. 63.3 vs. 73.0 kg) and five months of age
(95.3 vs. 80.0 vs. 89.5 kg) for calves types 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The type
of cattle farms had also a significant effect on the quantity of milk taken at
the 12th week of lactation (4.7 vs. 3.7 vs. 5.2 kg) for types 1, 2 and 3
respectively. Demographic parameters (mortality rate, fertility rate and the
proportion of cows) from herds surveyed were significantly (p <0.05) influenced
by the type of cattle farms. Thus, the proportion of cows was higher (p <0.05)
in herds of type 3 (36.3 vs. 19.5 and 31.1 % for types 1 and 2 respectively).
The rate of the mortality rate before weaning was higher (p <0.05) in herds of
types 1 and 3 (14.7 and 11.2% vs. 5.7% for type 2). The fertility rate was
higher (p <0.05) in type 2 herds (91.1 vs. 65.5 and 64.1% for types 1 and 3
respectively). The weaning productivity was lower (p <0.05) in types 1 and 3
(56.9 and 56.1% vs. 86.7% for type 2). This study showed that animals of type 1
herds had better growth performance, while herds of type 2 had the best
demographic parameters. Type 3 herds are distinguished by better milk
production.

Introduction

The livestock sector accounts for 40% of global
agricultural output and supports the livelihoods and food security of almost a
billion people (FAO 2009). In Benin, livestock contributes 25% to agricultural
GDP and provides security for families.
The cattle developed mainly in the northern departments of
the country where are concentrated almost 85% of the national herd (Tidjani et
al 2006).

The cattle population of Benin estimated in 2013 to
2,116,000 head (FAO 2015) consists of African humpless trypanotolerant breeds
(Borgu, Somba and Lagune), zebu (M'bororo, Gudali and White Fulani) and
cross-breeds from their crossing. The geographical distribution of these
different cattle breeds under the influence of climatic factors affecting feed
resources and the importance of the presence of tsetse vectors of
trypanosomiasis (Doko 1991; Dehoux and Hounsou-Vê 1993). Indeed, Trypanosomiasis
was one of the main bottlenecks in the breeding of zebu breeds, as 80% of the
territory of Benin were in the prevalence of this disease area. Only the extreme
north of the country (Commons of Malancity and Karimama) was free from this
disease. Hence the rise of the breeding of zebu cattle such as M'bororo, White
Fulani and Gudali in this region. This last cattle breed appears very
interesting for its milking ability (Domingo 1976; Gandah 1989), his butcher
performance and efficiency for field work.

To determine the main limiting factors, modes of operation
and productivity of Gudali cattle farms in the commons of Malancity and
Karimama, zootechnical diagnosis was made. The typology of Gudali cattle farms
in the commons of Malancity and Karimama was the starting point of this
zootechnical diagnosis (Assani and Alkoiret 2014). Three types of cattle farms
have been identified (Assani and Alkoiret 2014): great transhumant livestock
(type 1), periurban sedentary livestock (type 2) and the small purebred
Fulani livestock (type 3). These three types of cattle farms were distinguished
by geographic location, age and ethnicity of the farmer, herd size, breed of
animals and husbandry practices adopted (Assani and Alkoiret 2014).

This study aims to compare the productivity of different
types of cattle farms identified in the commons of Malancity and Karimamaand
present the main results obtained on demographics and herd structure and the
main parameters of production and reproduction.

Materials and Methods

Study environment

This study was carried out in the commons of Malancity and
Karimama located in the extreme north of Benin between parallels 11°50' and 12°
25' north latitude and meridians 43°2' and 3°20' East longitude. Two
municipalities cover an area of 9057 km² (Guidibi and Adjovi 2006a; 2006b). The
Malancity common terrain consists of a set of plains and valleys embedded
between the Niger River and some plateaus and hills ironstone. As for the
Karimama, it had a rugged terrain and was dominated by depressions and
elevations were the hills of gravel and ferruginous quartzite. The climate was
Sudano-Sahelian with a dry season from October to April and a rainy season from
May to September. The average annual rainfall calculated over a thirty year
period (1980 to 2010) was 833 mm. The annual average temperature over the same
period was 28.2 °C, while the relative humidity ranges from 24% in February to
82% in August. The vegetation consists of shrub and tree savannahs and woodlands
and galleries. The area was subject to two types of winds: sea breeze that blows
from April to October, and the Harmattan blows from November to March.

Survey Methodology

The retrospective method for estimating demographic
parameters in tropical ruminant livestock population developed by Lhoste et al
(1993) and used by Alkoiret et al (2011) was used in this study. Ten herds were
selected randomly from each of the three types of cattle farms identified in the
commons of Malancity and Karimama (Assani and Alkoiret 2014) to make the sample
comprising 30 herds with a total of 1680 head. The surveys were conducted using
a semi-structured interview guide. Individual interviews with the herdsmen were
used to collect information on events in the herds (birth, purchase, death,
sale, gift, exchange, late pregnancy, parturition, abortion and stillbirth) and
the herd structure (female calves, heifers, cows, male calves, subadult bulls
and reproductive bulls). The data were collected for the last 12 months
preceding the survey and were subsequently verified and completed during the
counting and categorizing of each herd.

Determination of milk production

In each herd of the sample, the cows that calved during
the investigation were subject to milk production control at the 12th week of
lactation, which is considered the peak of lactation in local breed cows
(Ouédraogo 1995;Koanda 1995). Hand milking was done by the herdsmen twice a day
(7 a.m. and 18 p.m.). Calves were allowed to suck for about one minute in order
to stimulate milk let down. They were then tied in front of their dams while
cows were hand milked. Partial milking was done in order to reserve milk for
sucking calves which were prevented from sucking the dams. After milking, calves
were allowed to resuckle their respective dams for 30 minute. The daily milk
offtake (i.e. extractable milk for human consumption) at the 12th week of
lactation (MO) was the sum of the morning and evening milk offtake and was
weighed using a balance (50 g sensitivity). The amount of milk consumed by
calves (CM) was determined from the equations developed by Koanda (1995) on the
Fulani Zebu in Burkina Faso:

Animal weighting

The weight of calves at birth, 3 and 5 months of age were
identified using a balance (100 g sensitivity). Weightings were made early in
the morning before the access of calves to feed and check for pasture.

Demographic parameters of the herds surveyed

Demographic parameters of the herds were calculated using
the formulas proposed by Lhoste et al (1993):

Natural rates:Abortion rate = Number of abortions*100/ Number of cowsParturition rate = Number of parturition * 100 / Number of
cowsFertility rate = Number of calves born alive * 100 /
Number of cowsStillbirth rate = Number of stillbirths * 100 / Number of
calves bornPre-weaning mortality rate = Calves dead before weaning *
100 / Calves born aliveOverall mortality rate = Number of deaths * 100 / Average
herd sizeWeaning productivity = Weaned Living calves * 100 / Number
of cows

Statistical Analysis

The characters analysed were: the daily milk offtake at
the 12th week of lactation (MO), the quantity of milk consumed by the calf of
0-5 months of age (CM), the weights of calves at birth (P0), 3 months (P3) and 5
months old (P5). The fixed factors tested were: the type of cattle farms, sex of
calf, breed of animals and the lactation number of cows.The data were analysed
according to the fixed linear model below using the general linear models (GLM)
procedure of the software SAS (2003). Duncan's test was used to compare least
squares means significantly different.

Demographic parameters of the herds were subjected to
analysis of variance ANOVA (type of cattle farms) in SAS (2003). If F test was
significant, the means were compared with the Fisher LSD test.

Results

Milk production

The type of cattle farms had a
significant effect (p<0.05) on the daily milk offtake (MO) at the 12th week of
lactation (Table 1). The MO was higher (p<0.05) in type 3 cattle farms,
following by type 1 nomadic herds and finally type 2 herds. The effect of
lactation number on MO was significant (p<0.05). Breeders took more (p<0.05)
milk from cows whose lactation numbers were between 3 and 5, followed by those
with lactation number superior or equal to 6. By cons, cows in early career
(L1-2) were less (p<0.05) collected. The amount of milk consumed by calves
during the period of 0-5 months (CM) was significantly (p<0.05) affected by the
type of cattle farms and the lactation number
(Table 1). Indeed the amount of milk consumed by calves in type 2 cattle farms
was significantly lower (P <0.05) than that consumed by calves in type 1 and
3 cattle farms. The lactation number had a significant influence (P <0.05) on
CM. Thus, the amount of milk consumed by the calves’ increased with first
calves to peak at 3-5 lactations before falling from the 6th lactation. The breed
had no significant effect (P> 0.05) on the amount of milk consumed by the calves.

a,b,cLeast-squares means with different
superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p<0.05)

Calves growth performances

The type of cattle farms had a significant effect (p<0.05)
on calves body weight at all ages considered (Table 2). Whether at birth, 3 or 5
months of age, live weight of calves of type 1 herds were the highest (p<0.05),
followed by type 3 cattle farms.

a,b,cLeast-squares means with different
superscript letters on the same column differ significantly (p<0.05)

The lowest body weight (p<0.05) were recorded in type 2
herds. The effect of sex on calf body weight was significant (p<0.05) at birth,
at 3 months and at 5 months of age, live weight of males was higher (p<0.05)
than females. The breed of calves had a significant effect (p<0.05) on their
weight at birth, 3 and 6 months of age (Table 2). Thus, crossbreed calves had
the highest body weights (p<0.05), followed by Gudali’s calves.

Herd’s structure

The reports of the various animal
categories in the herd structure (Table 3) showed significant variations
(p<0.05). Thus, the proportion of cows was higher (p<0.05) in herds in types 1
and 3 compared with type 2. For cons, the proportion of heifer type 2 herds was
higher (p<0.05) than that of types 1 and 3 (Table 3). The proportions of female
calves and total female were identical (p>0.05) in the 3 types of cattle farms
studied.

Table 3. Herd structrure (%) by the type of
Gudali cattle farms identified in the commons of Malancity and Karimama

Animal categories

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

SEM

Prob.

Female (%)

Female calves

12.6

10.6

8.70

0.75

0.11

Heifers

18.5b

27.2a

18.2b

1.24

0.01

Cows

31.1a

19.5b

36.3a

1.80

0.0001

Total Female

62.2

57.3

63.2

1.41

0.19

Male (%)

Male calves

11.9

9.50

8.50

1.18

0.48

Subadult bulls

15.3

19.8

17.5

0.56

0.43

Reproductive bulls

10.5

13.3

10.9

0.90

0.20

Total Male

37.7

42.6

36.7

1.41

0.28

Herd size (heads)

86a

21b

47a

1.48

0.01

a,b,cMeans with different superscript letters on
the same row differ significantly (p<0.05)

The type of cattle farms had no significant effect
(p>0.05) on the proportions of males. But the part of reproductive bulls in the
herds of type 2 was higher (p>0.05) than those of types 1 and 3. The average
size of type 1 and 3 herds was respectively 4 and 2 times higher (p<0.05) than
that of type 2.

Table 4. Demographic parameters by the type of
Gudali cattle farms identified in the commons of Malancity and Karimama.

Parameters, %

Type 1

Type 2

Type 3

SEM

Prob.

Natural rates:

Abortion rate

8.60a

2.70b

5.50ab

0.92

0.02

Parturition rate

70.7b

92.8a

67.5b

2.70

0.0001

Fertility rate

65.5b

91.1a

64.1b

3.02

0.0001

Stillbirth rate

7.40

2.02

5.15

0.10

0.07

Pre-weaning mortality rate

14.7a

5.70b

11.2a

2.28

0.02

Overall mortality rate

3.81a

2.50b

4.17a

0.63

0.04

Weaning productivity

56.1b

86.7a

56.9b

3.80

0.0001

Management rates:

Offtake rate

6.31a

0.77b

8.47a

0.76

0.0001

Intake rate

5.41

1.51

3.72

0.77

0.11

Net offtake rate

0.90

-0.74

4.75

1.00

0.06

a,b,cMeans with different superscript letters on
the same row differ significantly (p<0.05)

The sedentary periurban cattle farms (Type 2) had the
lowest (p<0.05) pre-weaning and overall mortality rates. By contrast, the type
of cattle farms did not affect (p>0.05) the rate of stillbirth (Table 2). The
offtake rate was higher (p<0.05) in type 3 herds and the intake rate was the
same (p>0.05) in the three types of cattle farms surveyed. The net offtake rate
was negative in the type 2 cattle farms and less (p>0.05) than that of the types
1 and 3 herds which was positive.

Discussion

The effect of the type of cattle farms on MO and CM is
linked both to the milk production of the animals and also the number of milking
cows in the herd. Thus, breeders of type 3 with few cows tend to take more milk
than those of types1 and 2 with a lot of cows, thus reducing the amount of
available milk for calves. The evolution of milk production with lactation
number is well known. Ouedraogo (1995) noted an increase in milk production in
zebu’ cows from 1st to 3rd row of calving in improved breeding at Ouagadougou
(Burkina Faso). Senou et al (2009) observed on Borgou cows daily milk production
of 1.37, 1.63 and 2.43 l / d for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lactations respectively.
This increase in milk production is linked to lower growth needs of cows
completing their growth at the end of the 2nd lactation. From the 6th lactation,
milk production drops because the cows become old (Rivière 1991).

The superiority of weight according to age groups of
calves of type 1 could be explained by the mode of breeding used and the breed
of animals raised. In fact, herds of type 2 are sedentary, those with type 1 are
predominantly transhumant and type 2 consists of both sedentary and transhumant
herds (Assani and Alkoiret, 2014). However, it was established that the
transhumance mode of breeding, promotes better weight gain in animals with a
longer grazing time and the continued displacement of animals in search of green
pastures (Dehoux and Houssou-Ve 1993; Alkoiret et al 2011).
According Tawah et al (2004) crossbreed N’bororo*Gudali calves (Type 1) had a
higher body weight than calves Gudali (Type 2 and 3). Tawah and Mbah (1993)
established on cattle of Gudali’ breed, average birth weight of 22 kg at Bulassa
and Dogondajiless than that of type 1 calves. The weights of type 1 calves are
comparable to those of peri-urban livestock in Burkina-Faso (Hamani et al 2005).

The high proportion of cows in the type 2 herds is related
to the acquisition mode of the animals that were purchased at almost 2/3 (Assani
and Alkoiret 2014) and not the result of natural increase of the herd size.
Moreover, these herds content a high number of draft animals, hence the high
proportion of reproductive bulls. The cattle herd’ structure in the commons of
Malancity and Karimama is consistent with observations made in the traditional
herds in eastern of Borgou department of Benin (Dehoux and Housssou-Ve 1993),
in the district of Gogounou in northeast Benin (Alkoiret et al 2010a),
in the ranch of Okpara, Benin (Alkoiret et al 2010b) and in a rural
highland district of Ethiopia (Boji, West Wellega) on Horro cattle (Lesnoff et
al 2002).

The superiority of the reproductive and mortality
parameters in herds of type 2 is due to the sedentary farming method, associated
with agriculture practiced by agropastoralists of this type. In addition, herds
of type 2 with low size had benefited from improved farming conditions and had
more reproductive bulls, hence the improvement of reproductive performances. The
combination of low mortality parameters and offtake rate to high reproduction
rate, resulting in improved productivity at weaning and numerical yield of Type
2 herds. Dehoux and Hounsou-Ve (1993) obtained in their study area (northeast of
Benin) a fertility rate of 65.4% and an abortion rate of 4%, lower than that of
Ouake district. The mortality rates in this study are higher than those of
cattle herds in the district of Gogounou (Alkoiret et al 2010a) and those
recorded at the ranch of Wakwain Cameroon (Mbah et al 1991).

Conclusions

Milk production was higher at small purebred Fulani cattle
farms (type 3).

Calves from great transhumant cattle farms (type 1) had the
best growth performance.

Periurban sedentary herds (type 2) had the best
demographic parameters.

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the Scientific
Council of the University of Parakou for funding this study and the zebu Gudali
breeders of Malancity and Karimama Commons for their frank and valuable
cooperation during this study.

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